Yoane Wissa mystery as Newcastle United hit with brutal £35m blow
Yoane Wissa has started just four Premier League games since joining Newcastle United from Brentford last summer.
Newcastle United’s £55million summer signing Yoane Wissa didn’t make it off the bench in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to AFC Bournemouth.
It’s hardly a ground-breaking statement, but head coach Eddie Howe did admit for the first time last week that Wissa has endured a “very difficult” debut campaign at St James’ Park.
The Magpies knowingly paid over the odds for Wissa in the hope he’d be a ready-made replacement for Alexander Isak but just a week after completing his big-money transfer sustained a knee injury on international duty with DR Congo.
The 29-year-old didn’t end up making his debut until December and hasn’t come anywhere close to reaching the heights that saw him net 19 Premier League goals for Brentford last season.
In 23 appearances, only seven of which have been starts, Wissa has managed three goals and, alongside £64m club-record signing Nick Woltemade, has watched Anthony Gordon - a recognised winger - and Will Osula start ahead of him up front in recent months.
Yoane Wissa unused substitute against AFC Bournemouth
Wissa didn’t make it off the bench against Bournemouth last weekend, despite Howe claiming the striker had looked the best he’s looked in training since joining.
“He's had a very difficult season,” Howe admitted. “And I think the most difficult part for Yoane has been that he got back fit and of course, there was a huge feeling inside of him he wanted to rush back and show everybody how good he is and then we haven't been able to train him in the way that we would normally train him.
“It's very small groups, game every two or three days, very stop-start for him. He was never able to get a rhythm. I have to say we've probably seen the best of him in his time at Newcastle this week. I've been pleased with how he's looked physically.”
‘More to come’ from Yoane Wissa - Eddie Howe
It has been suggested that the Magpies could look to cut their losses this summer and move Wissa on, with iNews reporting that an unnamed Premier League club would be willing to pay £15m to £20m.
Wissa’s lack of game time does point towards a potential exit, though Howe’s words do not after insisting there is more to come.
Howe continued: “I still feel there's loads more to come. I feel a pre-season would definitely help him. I think you could see a totally different player with a really sustained period where he's able to do what he needs to do.
“He's been trying, he's been really wanting to make the difference, but I think there's been physical things that have just kept him back from doing that.
“No injury, but as I say, it's just the time that he's had on the pitch and the time he's had in training to get his body right up to full speed. So I think the best is yet to come.”
Your next NUFC read: Nick Woltemade truth as Newcastle United club-record signing overlooked again.